49ers linebacker Eli Harold changes anthem stance

Linebacker Eli Harold, who consistently knelt during the national anthem the previous two seasons, joined the rest of his 49ers teammates and stood for the Star-Spangled Banner before the preseason opener against Dallas on Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium.

Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who raised a fist during the anthem, was the only member of the team to demonstrate.

The 49ers, of course, have been at the center of the NFL’s anthem controversy since quarterback Colin Kaepernick became the first player in the league to demonstrate to protest social inequality during the 2016 preseason.

In 2016, Harold knelt with Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid, before he joined Reid and other teammates last year. Kaepernick hasn’t been signed since he became a free agent after the 2016 season, and Reid has been unemployed since he played out his contract last year. Harold is in the final year of his contract.

In May, the NFL adopted a national-anthem policy prohibiting demonstrations, but allowing players to stay in the locker room during the anthem. The league said teams would be responsible for disciplining demonstrators. The new policy was approved unanimously by owners who voted, but 49ers CEO Jed York was the lone owner to abstain.

The NFLPA filed a grievance about the policy, and it has been put on hold while the players’ union and league work on an agreement.

Last month, 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, who is on the executive committee for the players’ union, said the initial dialogue with the league had been positive.

“We’ve started to get suggestions from players, and the league has been very open to hearing those suggestions,” Sherman said. “They’ve been very amicable in our discussions about potentially making adjustments to that policy.”

On Tuesday, Kyle Shanahan said he hadn’t discussed the national anthem with his players.

“I haven’t heard much about it,” Shanahan said. “And if it ever does become something that I feel I need to address, I will.”

Pregame injury report: Two rookie draft picks, inside linebacker Fred Warner (chest) and safety Marcell Harris, who is being eased back after sustaining a torn Achilles last year, were not in uniform.

Eric Branch has worked at the San Francisco Chronicle since 2011 as the 49ers beat writer. Before that, he covered the 49ers for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in 2010. Since he began his career in journalism in 1997 in Logansport, Ind., he’s covered events ranging from archery tournaments to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.